MOTORSPORT: More rookies for TCR

As many as two dozen rookie racers will take the first step towards a start in the 2020 carsales TCR Australia Series on September 2.

The touring car newbies will be taking part in an official evaluation day at Winton Motor Raceway immediately after the fifth round of this year’s TCR championship in rural Victoria.

Three teams have committed to fielding cars and are assembling a guest list that already runs to 20 drivers.

If there is enough interest, and enough cars, there is a possibility that it could lead to a Pro-Am split in next year’s series, although no-one at the Australian Racing Group is prepared to make any commitment to a two-tier series for 2020.

The test day is fully sanctioned by TCR and it has set a series of rules, including banning any drivers who are already competing in the series.

“This test is designed for amateur drivers who want to put their toe in the water. It’s effectively a 2020 talent show,” the head of TCR Australia, Matt Braid, revealed to carsales.

“When we hit the go button this year there wasn't the chance for some amateur drivers to have a go. They didn’t get a chance.

“There are a lot of guys sitting on the fence. It might have been too late for them.

“This would help them make a decision. They are looking for full-time participation in 2020 and beyond.”

The three teams involved are the championship-leading HMO Customer Racing, which fields Hyundai i30 Ns including the car driven by points leader Will Brown; Wall Racing, which has three Honda Civic Type Rs including the pair driven by race winners Tony D’Alberto and John Martin; and Garry Rogers Motorsport, which is splitting its efforts in 2019 between the Renault Megane RS and Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

The teams have yet to reveal who will be driving what, but Braid reports strong interest off the back of solid racing this year and a 2020 championship season start at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in March.

“From what we’re seeing, there will probably be about 20 drivers. We’ve yet to have it all confirmed, but it adds up to 20 so far and potentially a few more.”